BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca

Former Blue Bombers linebacker Ike Charlton is back in the CFL.

The 32-year-old, who was released by Winnipeg in August, has signed with the Montreal Alouettes.

It is not immediately known whether or not he will play strong side linebacker in Tim Burke's defence—the position he occupied for the better part of the 60 games he was in Winnipeg.

"They're already a good team," Charlton told Sportsnet Monday. "They're already established. If somebody is to go down, I'll be on the roster. I'm happy to be back in the CFL and just so glad they gave me the opportunity. I'll fit in wherever I can fit in."

Charlton is an insurance policy for the 11-4 Alouettes, who once again have clinched the regular season East division title and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Should a player get hurt, Montreal has a veteran who has played both defensive back and linebacker and is known as a film rat.

"I'll be all over the playbook," he said. "I'll be ready when my number is called."

The Virginia Tech product arrived in Montreal Friday and actually watched the Alouettes beat his former club 22-19 at Molson Stadium Sunday afternoon. On Monday he visited with Als’ head coach Marc Trestman at the team's facility on the players' day off and is expected to practice Tuesday.

"As I told Marc today, 'you can best believe I will be ready if my number is called'" Charlton said.

Charlton came to the CFL five years after he was drafted in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft (as a cornerback) by the Seattle Seahawks. Aside from a quick foray with the Detroit Lions in 2007, he was exclusively a Blue Bomber for the better part of six seasons.

Nicknamed the "Iceman," Charlton was a pivotal part of the team's defence through a series of different head coaches.

But the new Joe Mack/Paul LaPolice regime never did embrace Charlton and he became a salary cap casualty, even though the Blue Bombers tried to pin the club's defensive struggles through the first five weeks on him. Winnipeg (4-11) had also released linebacker Sideeq Shabazz, who had a sack and three tackles in his 2010 debut with Calgary on Sunday.

After being released by the Blue Bombers, Charlton returned to his home in Cleveland and said he continued to workout, while working on business ventures in property management and insurance. As recently as a week ago, he thought his football career likely was over.

"I still watched all the games and stayed up on what was happening (in the CFL), just in case someone did call," Charlton said. "I'm grateful Montreal did call and just give me the opportunity to be here."